What does circle time mean to you? Come and explore all the different possibilities that group time can offer. In this session, we’ll learn how to incorporate science, math, and dramatic play experiences, embrace emergent learning opportunities, transition ideas, and build resources.
Did you know that transitions can be a time of chaos or a time of calm? It’s true! Transitions can be calm, fun, and effective if we intentionally plan for them. Planning goes a long way when it comes to helping children through multiple types of transitions each day. And since not every strategy works with every child, we need lots of ideas ready to pull out when we need them the most! During this session, we will brainstorm, practice, and play some unique transition ideas that will be sure to add some magic to your transition times.
This session is focused on sharing early literacy resources that promote diversity including race, creed, gender, culture, family structures, and abilities. We’ll have a chance to review the importance of being intentional with the types of early literacy information, tools, and strategies we incorporate into our programs, and explore concepts to strengthen, support, and enhance the fundamentals of literacy while celebrating diverse communities. Nancy will also share a variety of children’s books and related hands-on literacy extension activities that can be integrated into our current environments.
One of the most important gifts we can offer a child is the knowledge that they are beautiful and unique as they are. We want children to know that they’re not only allowed–but are encouraged and supported–to delight in the heritages and cultures that make them who they are. In part 1 and part 2 of this session, we explore how together, we can help them grow up with a deep sense of pride for the stories, languages, traditions, and teachings of each culture that has shaped them. A child who revels in their identity is free to thrive and become all that they are meant to be. Together we can help create that for this next generation.
Opening the Culture Door
2023 Conference Session Length: 1 hour, 40 min
Publish Date: April 2023
Everyone has a culture and our culture is the framework for our lives. Children naturally develop the characteristics that their own culture values. They begin to construct their identity and understand who they are by understanding their own culture and by responding to how others see and relate to them. Sometimes a cultural conflict, visible or invisible, contributes to challenging behavior. This session explores how understanding the impact of cultural influences on both the educator and the child can improve a teacher’s ability to prevent and respond to challenging behavior.
Supporting Children During Uncertain Times
2023 Conference Session Length: 1 hour 57 minutes
Publish Date: April 2023
According to Health Canada, we will not go back to what life was like before January 2020 soon. We need to plan a new normal for our work with children and their families. The new normal depends on several unknowns which cause further stress and anxiety. In this session will provide information on creating a positive environment and handling stress in ways that increase resilience among children, their families, and childcare providers. In this session, we will discuss strategies to manage stress in predictable, moderate, and controllable ways.
Loose Parts: The Play Framework You Need to Know!
2023 Conference Session Length: 1 hour
Publish Date: April 2023
In this session, we will look at the stages of play and the number one mistake most educators make when children are playing. We will look into strategies to provoke thinking and build innovative minds by implementing loose parts. Participants will learn the 5Ws of Loose Parts and how to use them intentionally in an early childhood environment. Participants will learn how to design their environment to create a sense of wonder and learning through play and how to support the loose part’s journey.
Songs, Finger Plays, Music and Movement
2023 Conference Session Length: 1 hour 47 minutes
Publish Date: April 2023
This session involves active participation in singing and sharing very effective songs and finger plays that are designed for intentional purposes in different situations throughout the day with young children. We will talk about how music and movement can be used to support learning and development, and improve the flow of your day! Participants will also learn a variety of songs, finger plays, music & movement activities for all ages!
Shake, Rattle and Roll: Creative Music and Movement Activities
2023 Conference Session Length: 1 hour , 56 minutes
Publish Date: April 2023
Music & movement are more than just singing and dancing. It’s a holistic and playful approach to learning that reaches the deepest parts of our soul. It’s a form of communication. It’s a way to regulate emotions. It connects people, families, and communities–and has an international language unto its own. In Part 1 and Part 2 of this session, we build our music toolkits and talk about different ways to incorporate creative music and movement activities into CNC for a variety of learning contexts… and have some fun with music…even if we can’t sing or dance!
Using Visual Supports in Everyday Routines to Support ALL Children
2023 Conference Session length: 1 hour
Publish Date: April 2023
Using visual supports in our CNC programs can help children improve understanding and avoid frustration – especially when most of them lack English language skills. Visuals also help CNC staff to communicate clear expectations, provide structure and routine, and supply opportunities to interact with all the children in their care. This session shows us how visuals also aid in promoting positive behaviour and fostering independence in all children and can significantly help with children who may be experiencing developmental delays or have issues specifically with expressive and receptive language.
Family Centred Practice
2023 Conference Session Length: 56 minutes
Publish Date: April 2023
Family Centered Practice (FCP) creates partnership with families, treats them with dignity and respect, honors their values and choices, and provides supports to enhance their functioning as a family. In this session, we explore: FCP, contemporary approaches to working with families, relational and participatory components, collaboration, the role of the parent, effective help-giving, and how FCP can be linked to a wide range of benefits for both children and families.
Invitations to Play
Tutorial length: 9.5 minutes
Publish Date: November 2022
An invitation to play can be a simple way to spark children’s curiosity and imagination! They offer children opportunities to explore and direct their own play, follow their interests, learn more about the world around them, express themselves creatively and use their imagination.
In this tutorial, you’ll find 10 tips for creating your own Invitations to Play for the children in your CNC program. At the end of the tutorial, you’ll also find resources, references, a Facilitator Guide and Questions for Personal Reflection/Group Discussion so that you can easily facilitate your own team training.
Part 1: Capturing Children’s Learning Through Documentation
Tutorial length: 6.5 minutes
Part 2: Meaningful Documentation
Tutorial length: 7.5 minutes
Publish Date: October 2022
- what makes good documentation
- different kinds of documentation
- how good documentation leads to good programming
Part 1: Capturing Children’s Learning Through Documentation
Part 2: Meaningful Documentation
At the end of the tutorial, you’ll also find resources, references, a Facilitator Guide and Questions for Personal Reflection/Group Discussion so that you can easily facilitate your own team training.
Supporting Newcomer Children through Active Play: Teaming up with Active for Life!
Webinar length: 1 hour
Publish Date: September 2022
Incorporating physical literacy into your daily programming can be easy and inexpensive – and it can bring such a range of benefits for children, ECEs, and families!
When young children engage in physical literacy and active play, they can better cope with stress, build resilience, and start on their path toward a healthy and active life.
Watch this webinar where Dawne Clark, PhD, Early Years Physical Literacy discusses:
- What physical literacy (PL) and active play look like in the early years
- The benefits of PL and active play for children, educators, and families
- “Infusing” PL into everyday activities
- How to get children moving again and active for life after the pandemic
- The Active for Life website, tools and resources
Play Across Cultures
Tutorial length: 9 minutes
Publish Date: September 2022
Children are masters of play.
It’s how they learn about culture, social norms, and language – and it provides endless opportunities for children to try out different roles, express themselves, and explore the world around them.
But you may have noticed that children from different cultures engage in play differently. This makes sense because there are differences in language, context, and social norms in different cultures – and these are all reflected in children’s play!
In the this tutorial, participants will have the chance to reflect on how play is different across cultures, and how we can encourage and foster all kinds of play variations in our CNC programs.
At the end of the tutorial, you’ll also find resources, references, a Facilitator Guide and Questions for Personal Reflection/Group Discussion so that you can easily facilitate your own team training.
What is Executive Function?
Tutorial length: 8 minutes
Publish Date: June 2022
For many of us, executive function sounds like a really abstract term that might not hold much meaning. But executive function is actually an incredibly practical, useful and important set of skills that children start to develop in the early years.
In this tutorial, we’ll help you to understand what executive function is, and why it’s important. We’ll also share some resources and ideas for how we can support the development of executive function for the children in our programs.
At the end of the tutorial, you’ll also find resources, references, a facilitator guide and added group discussion questions so that you can easily facilitate your own team training.
School Readiness with Newcomer Centre of Peel
Webinar length: 1 hour
Publish Date: May 2022
School readiness means that children are ready for school, and families are ready to support their children’s learning – and CNC programs play an important role in preparing newcomer children and families for this transition.
In this webinar, participants joined Jacqueline MoonSammy, Aisha Ilyas, and their team from Newcomer Centre of Peel (NCP), to talk about how they noticed a need in their CNC community, and developed a program to support school readiness for the children in their program. They talked about some of the challenges they faced, as well as some helpful tips and strategies you can use in your program to help prepare children for kindergarten in the fall!
Creativity and the Educator
Tutorial length: 6.5 minutes
Publish Date: May 2022
When you think about the word “creativity” what comes to mind for you? For many of us, we automatically think about a painting, drama or storytelling, or maybe a song and dance. But creative expression isn’t about the product or end result… it’s all about the creative process and journey. Whenever we use and develop our imaginations, originality, and problem-solving skills during everyday life – that’s creativity!
In this tutorial, we’ll talk about why creativity is so important in the early years. We’ll also try to get everyone thinking outside the box a little bit, by talking about creativity… and how it isn’t just about art! Then we’ll share some ideas and inspiration for encouraging and fostering creativity in our programs!
At the end of the tutorial, you’ll also find resources, references, a facilitator guide and added group discussion questions so that you can easily facilitate your own team training.
Responding to Children’s Fear
Tutorial length: 6 minutes
Publish Date: April 2022
For many of us, when a child expresses fear, it can be hard to know how to respond in a way that makes them feel heard and supported. In this tutorial, we’ll talk about how to respond to children’s fear, common mistakes, and why they’re important to avoid, and some practical tips with examples to help us understand and remember. At the end of the tutorial, you’ll also find resources, references, a facilitator guide, and added group discussion questions so that you can easily facilitate your own team training. At the end of the tutorial, you’ll also find resources, references, a facilitator guide and added group discussion questions so that you can easily facilitate your own team training.
Virtual Programming for Young Children
Webinar length: 1 hour
Publish Date: March 2022
Over the last two years, many SPOs have responded to the needs of newcomer families during the pandemic by delivering online services – and the SDR from one such organization has developed a webinar to share what they’ve learned! In this webinar, join Zakia Labonee, the SDR from Polycultural Immigrant and Community Services to talk about three important things to consider in developing virtual programming for young children: child development, building relationships, and family support.
Disclaimer: CMAS assessments and CNC focus is on onsite care. Please remember, that while there are no requirements or monitoring by CMAS for virtual services, there are associated risks. Each organization must take responsibility for ensuring that they have policies and procedures in place to deliver virtual programming safely.
Reflecting on Anti-bias Education in Action: The Early Years
Webinar length: 2 hours
Publish Date: November 2021
CMAS is proud to present this recording of a special CNC film screening and panel discussion of the award-winning film, Reflecting on Anti-bias Education in Action: The Early Years, with co-producers Debbie LeeKeenan and John Nimmo, as well as featured teacher Nadia Janobeta. The film shifts the focus away from the talking heads of experts and on to the voices of teachers committed to equity and diversity on a daily basis. By taking viewers into diverse early childhood classrooms, the film seeks to demonstrate the importance of teacher reflection on identity, context, and practice in anti-bias education and provides a much-needed resource for teacher education and professional development.
Modelling Flexible Ideas About Gender in an Early Childhood Setting–Parts 1 and 2
Webinar length:
Part 1–57 minutes
Part 2–52 minutes
Publish Date: October 2021
We come from different families. We come from different cultures. We grew up in different decades. We each have our own individual experiences. We probably all see and experience gender in a slightly different way. This two-part webinar series hosted by Kirsten Freed, an early childhood educator at Mosaic in Winnipeg, includes information about gender and child development, and centres around the ideal of creating the best possible environment for nurturing the social and emotional development of children of all genders. Part 1 | Part 2
Activity Planning for Mixed-Age Groups
Tutorial length: 9 minutes
Publish Date: October 2021
Some CNC programs choose to use mixed-age grouping to allow for flexibility or accommodate families when there is limited space and/or staffing. But it also means that staff need to plan with a wider age group in mind… so a child-centred approach can be especially important! In this tutorial, we’ll talk about the benefits, challenges, and important considerations to keep in mind when planning activities for children of different ages. Participants will go back to their programs feeling more confident, with new strategies and promising practice. At the end of the tutorial, you’ll also find resources, references, a facilitator guide and added group discussion questions so that you can easily facilitate your own team training.
What is the Difference Between Emergent Curriculum and Child-Centred Programming?
Tutorial length: 10 minutes
Publish Date: June 2021
The terms “child-centred programming” and “emergent curriculum” are often used interchangeably.
But have you ever found yourself wondering what emergent curriculum means? Or maybe you wonder how a child-centred program is different from an emergent curriculum? This tutorial provides you with a quick overview of what it really means to have a child-centred program, how it compares to emergent curriculum, why it’s important to plan engaging, child-centred activities, help in understanding our role as a facilitator of children’s learning, and some tips for expanding on children’s interests.At the end of the tutorial, you’ll also find resources, a facilitator guide and added group discussion questions so that you can easily facilitate your own team training.
Developing Engaging, Child-Centred Activities for Your CNC Program
Webinar length: 54 minutes
Publish Date: June 2021
How do you plan activities for your CNC program? We all do our best to make our CNC programs child-centred, but sometimes program planning can be a challenge! In this webinar, Jackie Cunningham talks about why engaging, child-centred curriculum is so important, where to start with emergent program planning, how to use developmental domains to build on curriculum and learning, and inspiring project-based activity ideas.
Colouring Outside the Lines with Bookmates
Webinar length: 60 minutes
Publish Date: April 2021
In this webinar recording, Bookmates joins us to explore the idea of creativity as an important bridge to learning and development for young children. This session is designed to share practical skills, tips, and resources for how CNC staff can engage children with open-ended process art activities to extend literacy concepts.
Learning As We Go – Literacy Strategies to Support Young Children During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Webinar length: 60 minutes
Publish Date: March 2021
Bookmates joins us for this important webinar to talk about early literacy resources, tools and strategies that support early learning during challenging times such as we are currently experiencing with the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s an opportunity for participants to hear about; possible long term repercussions of physical distancing on preschool development, evidence based research on increased anxiety/frustration, sedentary behaviours and screen time our early years population may be experiencing, the importance of relationships in a socially distant world, and literacy strategies and children’s books designed to mitigate some of the challenges facing children in 2021 and beyond.
Reconciliation and Indigenous Pedagogies in Early Learning and Child Care: Part 1 – Walking Together in Reconciliation
Webinar length: 60 minutes
Publish Date: February 2021
CMAS is pleased to present an opportunity for CNC staff to learn about Canada’s Indigenous peoples’ history, knowledge and pedagogies while engaging in reconciliation. For this three-part webinar series, Elder Brenda Mason and Lori Huston, RECE, will join us to share Indigenous knowledge and stories from their perspectives, teachings and lived experiences.
In part 1 of this three-part series, we discuss the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action, including two recommendations that are specifically related to the early learning sector: new Indigenous Education legislation and culturally appropriate Indigenous programs. This webinar and associated article support a deepening of our understanding of what it means to honour the knowledge and skills Indigenous children and families.
Reconciliation and Indigenous Pedagogies in Early Learning and Child Care: Part 2 – Awakening and Coming to Know Indigenous Pedagogies in Early Learning
Webinar length: 63 minutes
Publish Date: February 2021
Indigenous knowledge is a knowledge system that is different from Eurocentric knowledge – it is closely tied to space. In part two of this webinar series and associated article, Elder Brenda Mason and Lori Huston, RECE we share teaching and learning processes that are holistic and narrative-based. Stories are a primary medium for conveying Indigenous knowledge, so in this webinar, participants will hear stories about the Indigenous child, family, and community’s traditional roles that support Indigenous children in early learning programs.
Reconciliation and Indigenous Pedagogies in Early Learning and Child Care: Part 3 –Exploring Indigenous Pedagogies Connected to Experiential Learning in Relations to Mother Earth
Webinar length: 78 minutes
Publish Date: February 2021
There are many values, traditions and experiences that Indigenous children gain from being on the land and grounded in experiential learning that is connected to Mother Earth. In this third and final webinar and associated article, Elder Brenda Mason and Lori Huston, RECE share the Indigenous relational teachings with connections to being, spirit and land.
Beyond Observation – Bringing Your Skills into Practice
Webinar length: 60 minutes
Publish Date: February 2021
In this CNC webinar, Ann Hutchings and Yusra Awad, from the Graybridge Malkam CNC program in Ottawa, join us to talk about why observation is so important, and how you can use your observations to develop child-centred programming that supports early learning and development.
Resolving Conflict at Work with Karen Minty
Webinar length: 62 minutes
Publish Date: December 2020
Do you know how different personality styles behave under stress? How does your team resolve conflict under stressful situations? Karen Minty explains the basic needs of each personality style, and appropriate strategies to deal with difficult behaviour to quickly diffuse situations and prevent further conflict in this Resolving Conflict at Work webinar.
The Importance of Connecting with Parents
Tutorial length: 8 minutes
Publish Date: November 2020
In the CNC Pandemic Response: The Importance of Connecting with Parents tutorial, you have an opportunity to explore why it is so important to connect with parents each day, and strategies to build relationships, connect and share information with parents – even when face-to-face interactions are limited. At the end of the tutorial, you’ll also find resources, a facilitator guide and added group discussion questions so that you can easily facilitate your own team training.
The Importance of Play in Challenging Times
Webinar length: 48 minutes
Publish Date: October 2020
The transition back to CNC after pandemic closures can be stressful for everyone, and for some, it’s hard to imagine how to plan play-based learning and still meet provincial directives. In this webinar, CMAS consultant Jackie Cunningham provides CNC staff with 10 tips for keeping the focus on play during these challenging times, activity ideas to try, and a simple tip sheet you can share with your team!
Managing Separation Anxiety When Children Return
Webinar length: 60 minutes
Publish Date: October 2020
For some parents and children, the idea of returning to CNC after pandemic closures is stressful. Many families will be experiencing separation anxiety and find the transition back to care challenging. In this webinar, CMAS consultant Jackie Cunningham provides CNC staff with 9 Tips for managing separation anxiety when children return and a printable tip sheet you can share with your team!
The Art of Storytelling with James Funnyhat
Webinar length: 60 minutes
Publish Date: May 2020
In this CMAS webinar, James Funnyhat, an expert storyteller and musician, shares some tips and inspiring ideas for capturing the imagination and keeping children’s attention… even when the shows are online!
How the Environment You Create Affects a Child’s Behaviour
Webinar length: 60 minutes
Publish Date: May 2020
In this CMAS webinar, Ann Hutchings discusses how the environment you create affects children’s behaviour. She also shares lots of inspiring ideas for child-centred spaces that encourage creativity, learning and development!
Communication: Looking Through the Lens of Behaviour
Webinar length: 60 minutes
Publish Date: June 2020
In this CMAS webinar, Shanda Burnett discusses how behaviour and communication are linked. She also explains the importance of relationships and observation, and how an ABC chart can help us understand the function of behaviour in our programs.
Successful Transitions and Routines
Webinar length: 60 minutes
Publish Date: May 2020
In this CMAS webinar, Kim Faber discusses why it’s so important for transitions and routines to feel natural and flexible. She also talks about how consistent routines can help children feel safe, secure and confident – and how they help your whole program run smoothly!
Engaging Children’s Senses Through Play
Webinar length: 60 minutes
Publish Date: May 2020
In this CMAS webinar, Jackie Cunningham discusses the importance of sensory play and how you can incorporate it into different areas of your programming.
Consistent Care and Relationship Building in CNC
Tutorial length: 10 minutes
Publish Date: February 2020
The evidence is clear: successful attachments with primary caregivers in the early years have a profound impact on children in almost all areas of development! In fact, a child’s growth and development depends on the capacity of their caregivers to understand, perceive and respond to the child needs. So developing relationships and trust with the newcomer children in your care is key to supporting their settlement and early development. In CMAS’ new Consistent Care and Relationship Building in CNC tutorial, you’ll have an opportunity to consider how relationships impact children’s development and health, what is consistent care and why it is so important, which children might need a little more attention and care, and strategies for improving consistency and relationships for everyone. At the end of the tutorial, you’ll also find resources, references, a facilitator guide, and added group discussion questions so that you can easily facilitate your own team training. English version | French version
Parent Orientations Webinar
Webinar length: 56 minutes
Publish Date: January 2020
A good parent orientation sets the stage for a smooth transition for newcomer families, but not every CNC team knows how to do it well. In this webinar, you have the opportunity to hear directly from three experienced CNC administrators. They share their unique perspectives, promising practices and strategies that they find helpful when it comes to CNC parent orientations. In response to participant requests, Polycultural Immigrant and Community Services has also shared their Sample Visual Parent Orientation Form. Once you have completed this webinar, we invite you to complete this evaluation, which will help with the development of future webinars. Watch the webinar…
The Power of Play
Tutorial length: 13 minutes
Publish Date: November 2019
Children learn best when they are playing. In fact, play is so important to children’s development, that the United Nations has included play as one of the basic rights of every child in the Convention on the Rights of the Child! Through play, children get to know the world around them while exploring and testing their own limits. They’re figuring out how to coordinate their body movements, talk with friends, apply rules, and so much more. In the Power of Play tutorial, you’ll have an opportunity to consider why is play so important, how play supports children’s development and learning, three common myths about play, and strategies that can be used to support children’s learning through play in CNC each day. At the end of the tutorial, you’ll also find resources, references, a facilitator guide and added group discussion questions so that you can easily facilitate your own team training. English version | French version
Stages & Strategies for Language Learning in Newcomer Children
Tutorial length: 13 minutes
Publish Date: October 2019
Learning a language is a complex process that is experienced differently by every child. But whether you’re supporting dual language learners, single, second or even multiple language learners in your program, it’s important to have a basic understanding of how language learning happens. In the Stages & Strategies for Language Learning in Newcomer Children tutorial, you’ll learn about the four stages of language learning and what to expect as children move through each phase. You’ll also find practical strategies that you can use to support children during each stage. At the end of the tutorial, there are resources, references, a facilitator guide and added group discussion questions so that you can easily facilitate your own team training.
10 Simple Ways to Encourage Language in Newcomer Children
Tutorial length: 15 minutes
Publish Date: September 2019
Young children are naturally visual learners as they observe, imitate and learn to read body language. For newcomer children, visual cues can be even more important – especially when you don’t have a shared language!
3 Simple Visuals For Every CNC Program
Tutorial length: 8 minutes
Publish Date: February 2019
Young children are naturally visual learners as they observe, imitate and learn to read body language. For newcomer children, visual cues can be even more important – especially when you don’t have a shared language!
How Your Early Learning Environment Impacts Behaviour
Tutorial length: 10 minutes
Publish Date: November 2018
4 Tips for Building Confidence in Newcomer Children
Tutorial length: 16 minutes
Publish Date: September 2018
5 Guiding Principles for the Care of Newcomer Children
Tutorial length: 30 minutes
Publish Date: June 2018
10 Tips for Difficult Conversations with Parents: The Basics
Tutorial length: 19 minutes
Publish Date: November 2017
Sometimes, we need to have difficult conversations with parents about their child’s development, challenges or needs. Planning for these interactions can be stressful, but this 19-minute tutorial provides you with tools and strategies, common mistakes to avoid, and 10 tips for planning ahead and managing difficult conversations in an approachable and professional way. It also includes a facilitator guide and 10 questions for group discussion and personal reflection to use with your team, extend your learning and help you identify concrete strategies that you can use in your program. Let’s get started!
When Children’s Behaviour is Challenging
Tutorial length: 22 minutes
Publish Date: September 2017
Sometimes a child’s behaviour challenges us and forces us to step outside our usual comfort zone. Find out what to do when children’s behaviour is challenging you, common mistakes to avoid, and 7 steps to take when behaviour is challenging in your program. We’ve also developed a Facilitator guide that includes 10 Questions for Group Discussion and Personal Reflection to use with your team, extend your learning and help you identify concrete strategies that you can use in your program. Let’s get started!
How to select toys for short term or mobile and programs
Tutorial length: 14 minutes
Publish Date: November 2016
You may not know the number of children, their ages and needs until they arrive. And staff may have to bring toys to different locations, so they need to be easy to transport and store! How can you plan for so many variables? This quick-tip tutorial will help you plan for uncertainties and select the toys you need for a mobile or short term program. In it, you’ll find 7 key factors to consider, a printable list of toy suggestions, and ideas for developing your own mobile kits.